Effects of Dual-Task Training with different Intensity of Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Function and Neurotrophic Factors in Chronic Stroke Patients

Background/Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of dual-task training with different intensity of aerobic exercise on cognitive function (MMSE-K, Trail making test, and Stroop test) and neurotrophic factors (BDNF, IGF-1) in chronic stroke patients. Methods / Statistical analysis: The subjects were 27 stroke patients who met the study selection criteria, and were divided according to screening tests into the following: group I (low-intensity aerobic exercise plus dual-task training, n=9), group II (moderate-intensity aerobic exercise plus dual-task training, n=9), and group III (high-moderate-intensity aerobic exercise plus dual-task training, n=9). Subjects performed training 5 times a week, a total of 30 times in 6 weeks. Finding: The results of the study showed that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (p<.01) and high-intensity aerobic exercise (p<.001) showed significant differences between after training (p<.001). Significant differences between the groups were found after training, with a difference in MMSE-K between group I and III (p<.001) and between group II and III (p<.01). A significant difference was found between the groups in the Trail Making Test and the Stroop test (p<.001), with a difference after training between group I and III (p<.001) and between group II and III (p<.01). In addition, a significant difference was found between the groups in BDNF and IGF-1 levels (p<.001), with a difference between group I and III (p<.001) and between group II and III (p<.05). Improvements/Applications: Therefore, the present study found that the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation for stroke patients can be enhanced by using differentiated aerobic exercise rather than limited desktop activity.